Keith Sashaw2016-12-09T20:23:20-05:00Keith Sashawhttp://www.huffingtonpost.ca/author/index.php?author=keith-sashawCopyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc.HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Keith SashawGood old fashioned elbow grease.LNG Investments Will Have Long-Term Benefits For B.C.tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2016:/theblog//3.90731142016-01-26T13:19:15-05:002016-01-26T13:59:01-05:00Keith Sashawhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/keith-sashaw/ issuance of a key permit required for the development of the LNG Canada project by Shell is an exciting development, as it moves the project one step closer to fruition.

The facility permit from the B.C. Oil and Gas Commission outlines the requirements for design, construction and operation of the proposed liquefied natural gas facility in Kitimat, B.C. While this alone does not guarantee the project will move forward, it is an indication that the proponents of the project still see benefits of establishing an LNG plant in B.C.

These benefits are considerable: the climate of B.C.'s north coast is colder and therefore requires less energy to liquefy natural gas than in other areas, such as the Gulf Coast; there are abundant gas fields relatively close to the plant; the north west coast of B.C. is considerably closer to many markets than competing jurisdictions; and B.C. has an abundant supply of engineers, planners and construction workers that are fully capable of building and operating a complex plant.

Given the economic doldrums facing other resource-based sectors in B.C. with the collapse of oil prices and the malaise in the minerals and metals markets, the B.C. engineering community recognizes the importance of projects such as LNG Canada moving forward. For many firms, the development of an LNG industry will buffer the impact that the downturn of the resource sector is having.

B.C. engineers bring their technical knowledge and commitment to public safety to every stage of the LNG process. Engineers and geoscientists provide expertise in identifying sources of natural gas and in ensuring that the extraction of the natural gas is done safely and in accordance with the latest standards. Engineers specializing in natural gas projects design and monitor the construction and on-going operations of the pipelines that take the gas from the fields to the plants.

The liquefaction plants that will take the temperature of the gas to negative 160 degrees Celsius will be in done in strict accordance with international engineering standards. Even the ancillary infrastructure surrounding these plants will be designed by engineers to standards that are among the best in the world.

Once the gas is ready to be shipped, it will be loaded onto a tanker in port facilities that will be designed by engineers experienced in marine terminal design. Tanker routing is subject to the Transport Canada TERMPOL Review Process, involving over 20 in-depth studies, including navigation and risk assessments. Engineers play an integral role in identifying risks and developing strategies to mitigate these risks.

The attention to these details is reflected in the fact that since 1964, one LNG tanker has entered Tokyo harbour every 18 hours, and there has not been a single incident involving a tanker in that harbour in more than 50 years.

There is no doubt that the scope of the LNG Canada project is enormous. The liquefaction plant will cost up to $40 billion and the costs of the pipelines and the extraction will cost billions more. Against this scenario we have seen the price of natural gas drop from just under $6 to under $2.50 per million British thermal units.

The important consideration is that these are projects with a lifecycle of over 50 years. The odds are that given the growth in the world economy over time -- and the increased demand from developing economies that require gas to not only power their growth, but also as a cleaner alternative to coal-power -- there will be growing demand for LNG, and the investment today will be seen as a shrewd move in the years to come.

Keith Sashaw is president and CEO of the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies British Columbia (ACEC-BC).

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]]>Why B.C. Needs Skilled Foreign Workerstag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.23051962012-12-15T00:26:51-05:002013-02-13T05:12:01-05:00Keith Sashawhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/keith-sashaw/
What we need to keep in mind, however, is that our province needs skilled foreign workers to mitigate a labour shortage that is putting our economic growth at risk, and we must not allow gut reactions to specific cases dictate public opinion or guide public policy decisions with far-reaching, future implications.

Our province's construction industry, a major economic contributor, is one of many industries that relies upon a physically present, skilled human workforce. The B.C. construction industry is poised for substantial growth over the next decade, with investment in major mining, utility, transportation and pipeline projects driving increases in commercial, institutional and government building construction.

Many of these projects will be located in and around B.C.'s northern towns such as Kitimat and Prince George.

However, significant challenges accompany these opportunities in the form of numbers, versatility and mobility.

NUMBERS

The baby-boomer generation created a population surge that subsequent generations have not matched, and that generation is approaching retirement. In addition, the demand for our workers originating from major projects in other industries within B.C., as well as major construction projects upcoming in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Northern Ontario and Newfoundland threaten to draw workers away.

The Construction Sector Council's preliminary data for the 2013-2021 forecast scenario estimates that construction labour force requirements in B.C. will rise by an estimated 22,500 between now and 2021 in response to project expansion demand.

This will coincide with an increase in replacement demand related to the expected retirement of 32,400 workers. About 24,300 first-time new entrants are estimated to become available to fill the overall increase in labour requirements. This means that our local construction industry will need to attract more than 30,000 new workers from outside the industry to meet total labour demands.

VERSATILITY

The gap created between the supply and demand of Canadian skilled trade workers, caused by versatility and mobility issues, may further compound the challenges. Barriers to mobility can come in the form of workers who are unable or unwilling to move north where job demand is highest.

Skill-versatility barriers, caused by limitations on worker ability to retrain, upgrade and adapt skills to meet the shifting demands that large upcoming projects will require could also become an issue.

Skilled foreign workers bring with them a number of vital solutions to help fill the gap, particularly in peak times. Years of work in trade occupations in their home countries give them experience, something that cannot be taught or garnered quickly. This experience, coupled with existing job-ready skills, allows them to not only step into the roles of those in our industry who are retiring, but to also effectively train our young people to fill those roles in the future.

MOBILITY

The versatility and flexibility of skills that these workers bring can allow them to meet the constantly changing demands of upcoming projects. Mobility is often not an issue for foreign workers, as they have yet to establish roots in Canada. Many skilled foreign workers have intentions to live long-term in Canada, contribute to our economy, and help build our province. The Provincial Nominee Program provides incentive for these workers to come to B.C. by offering workers with skills and experience the opportunity to become permanent residents of Canada.

The Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) supports a regulatory framework that ensures fair treatment for both foreign workers and Canadians seeking employment in the construction industry, but the public and legislators need to understand that the construction industry cannot survive without skilled foreign workers, and the benefits they bring with them.]]>